Nadya Al-Arief and Zayla Ihsan Create an English Program for All

Nadya Al-Arief and Zayla Ihsan founded The Flutter Project to encourage more young people to learn English.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

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Nadya Al-Arief (left) and Zayla Ihsan founded The Flutter Project to assist young generations in learning English.

Nadya Al-Arief (19) and Zayla Ihsan (18) are two Indonesian students currently pursuing their studies in the United States. Both have a high empathy towards the progress of education in their homeland. Through The Flutter Project, a non-profit organization based on volunteering, these two teenagers opened free English classes for Indonesian students.

The Flutter Project originated from Nadya and Zayla's experience when they were studying in Indonesia. They saw many students who were not able to learn English properly due to various obstacles. Currently, Nadya is studying at Montgomery College and Zayla is studying at George Washington University, United States.

”(During junior high school) We often sawIndonesian students who liked learning English but didn't get the chance to learn. This experience made us realize how many children cannot access English language education, even though there are many opportunities that require this skill,” said Zayla when interviewed with Nadya online, Thursday (20/7/2023).

Nadya and Zayla then initiated The Flutter Project. This activity has been established since 2021. Its aim is to connect Indonesian teenagers who share the same concerns to become volunteering teachers for junior high and high school students in Indonesia.

English lessons are held online. "The Flutter Project aims to connect Indonesian teenagers from different backgrounds to exchange perspectives and languages," said Nadya.

This organization continues to develop by providing free English classes through cooperation with several schools. Entering its third year, The Flutter Project has collaborated with Sekolah Cendekia Baznas Bogor, Yayasan Bina Bangsa Berdikari Jakarta, and this year with five boarding schools, namely Muhammadiyah Boarding School (MBS) Ki Bagus Hadikusumo, Nihaayatuzzein, Sahid, Mahasina, and Asshidiqiyyah.

This year, The Flutter Project has only held one teaching program. While in 2021 and 2022 there will be two programs each lasting for three months.

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The meeting of tutors from The Flutter Project who were in the United States during the Boston Convention in December 2022.

Volunteer

This organization has a total of 100 volunteer tutors or teachers who are young people aged 14-20 years who are domiciled inside and outside Indonesia. Tutor recruitment is carried out every time before a new program. The Flutter Project makes a selection in the form of writing a motivation letter and interview.

Interestingly, there are no specific standards regarding the English language skills of prospective tutors, the most important thing is that they have the same vision and mission as The Flutter Project. ”At the beginning of the program we held a Tutor Training Session so that everyone at the same pace, then the majority of tutors learn through teaching experience during the program itself. So, the learning process goes both ways. Not only students, but tutors are also developing," said Nadya.

"In one program, there is one online class session with a duration of 40-60 minutes every week. This class session is adjusted to the schedules of the students and teachers who are also still students. Therefore, this session is often held on weekends."

The Flutter Project strives to create an interactive and fun classroom atmosphere. One of them is by holding sessions on analyzing films, making short stories, and creating workshopswith themes that can be chosen according to students' interests, such as journalism and creative writing.

”Our lessons are more about creating bonds between students and tutors. We also make the sessions personal with one tutor teaching a maximum of two students. So, when a student joins a session, he doesn't just meet the tutor, but we want to feel like he's meeting a friend so it's more comfortable,” explained Zayla.

The Flutter Project also presents a number of interesting activities, such as the pen pal activity, where tutors and students can send letters to each other in English after the program is over so that their language skills can continue to be honed. In addition, in July 2022, The Flutter Project has also launched a book entitled From Indonesian Children to Indonesian Children which documents the journey of The Flutter Project.

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The Flutter Project team visited the Baznas Cendekia School in Bogor in July 2023.

Obstacle

Nadya and Zayla admitted that they experienced difficulties when they first joined this organization. ”There were times when we felt that our ideas and visions could not be carried out because of problems we had not anticipated. However, as time goes by, we get used to the unexpected problems that come," said Nadya.

They revealed that one of the obstacles that still often occurs related to technology, such as internet connection or audio problems. In addition, differences in time zones are also a challenge. "We once had to wake up at 4 a.m. to attend a class," said Nadya.

However, the obstacles did not make Nadya, Zayla, and The Flutter Project give up. They continue to be passionate about fighting for their dreams, which is the equal distribution of education in Indonesia.

Their efforts were not in vain. This can be seen from the development of the English language skills of The Flutter Project students. “There is one of our students who is very developed, his name is Akmal. Akmal is always excited to come to our sessions and then we got a video of Akmal teaching his underclassmen English and now Akmal is one of the tutors. So, growth of students is quite large. Not only in terms of English skills, but also self-confidence," said Nadya.

In the future, they hope that The Flutter Project can reach more children throughout Indonesia. "It can reach not only school children in Jakarta and Bogor but also enable children from all over Indonesia to join. I also hope that The Flutter Project can help our students not only acquire English language skills but also improve their confidence and potential," Nadya hopes.

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Nadya Al-Arief

Age: 19

Education: Public Policy, Montgomery College

Achievements: Logistics & Communications Coordinator at Nvolve Inc.

Zayla Ihsan

Age: 18

Education: Sociology, George Washington University

Achievements: Program Assistant for the non-profit organization Community Youth Advance

Collaboration with Intern Participants Kompas:

- Aurelia Tamirin,Student of the Department of Criminology, University of Indonesia

- Alethea Pricila Sianturi, Student of Journalism Study Program, Multimedia Nusantara University